Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 16

the bigger structures where we need the
support. We've done a bunch of projects
that way. There are a lot of accessory
things he does for me as well; when
it comes to putting grab handles on the
side of a dodger, he knows the formula. "
" Working with Jeff has defi nitely
upped the ante of what we are able to
give people, " says Gierula.
In addition, Newkirk says that he
partners with Gierula to purchase the
stainless steel stock they need. " We
bring in a truck twice a year, " he says.
" That's where I get all my tubing supply
from, and it allows us to get better
bulk pricing. "
There's a lot more metal on boats than some people realize. " A small welder
is not overly expensive to have, but it's also a time consideration, " says Jeff
Newkirk of Precision Custom Canvas. " My staff has enough to do already, so
to be able to farm something out and have it reliably done at a high level is
worthwhile. " Photo: Precision Custom Canvas Inc.
Tools and knowledge take time
Daymon Johnstone, co-owner with his
wife, Joni, of Lakeside Marine Canvas
in Buford, Ga., since 1997, has been
honing his marine fabrication techniques
for 25 years. Johnstone says it
took him quite a while to build his specialized
inventory.
STAYING FOCUSED IS KEY
hile some marine fabricators may try to
be all things to all customers, smaller
shops especially often fi nd success by
focusing on a market, or a few markets, and
trying to serve them exceptionally well.
That's a lesson learned early by Daymon
Johnstone, co-owner of Lakeside Marine Canvas
in Buford, Ga.
" When I was fi rst getting into aluminum fabrication, "
says Johnstone, " several of my colleagues in the
marine industry-not necessarily even in the
fabric or sewing business-told me not to stretch
myself too thin. The best advice they gave me
was to try to fi nd one or two things that I could
really specialize in and stick to that. Do whatever
it takes to make that the best you can.
" That's what I've done with my houseboat
concept, " he explains. " We have the largest
16 Marine Fabricator | January/February 2023
W
concentration of high-end houseboats in the
world in this area, and that's my main business. "
But Johnstone says he learned about this
the hard way.
" I did a wide variety of things in the beginning,
which was diffi cult to go through and keep
everything going, " he explains. When Lakeside
began specializing more in houseboats,
" it was expensive at fi rst, but our narrowed
focus allowed us to polish our concepts and
create an all-around better product.
" But it was diffi cult to get started, " Johnstone
adds. " I would really stress to anybody who
is thinking about this business, if you spread
yourself too thin trying to do everything,
you will have a hard time ensuring the
quality of your endless projects. "

Marine Fabricator January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator January/February 2023

Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - Cover1
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - Cover2
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 1
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 2
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 3
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 4
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 5
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 6
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 7
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 8
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 9
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 10
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 11
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 12
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 13
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 14
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 15
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 16
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 17
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 18
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 19
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 20
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 21
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 22
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 25
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 29
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 30
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 33
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 35
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 36
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 42
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Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 45
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 46
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 47
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 48
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - Cover3
Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - Cover4
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